All things end, whether good or bad. The trade that sends Nick Young and JaVale McGee to Denver concludes the run for two of the more interesting characters to ever play pro hoops in DC.

Both of these players were homegrown, first-round picks drafted by the Wiz. I remember my reactions to each pick; in 2007 with Young I wondered why the hell Ernie would take another guard, and in 2008 with JaVale I remembered being intrigued by his potential. If nothing else, JaVale was “long,” a characteristic much fantasized about on draft night.

Looking back, my reactions seem fairly accurate. Nick Young had some great games, but after five years in the league, he is just another guard. He can shoot. He cannot pass, he can defend on occasion, and he can certainly be entertaining on and off the court. He will never be an All-Star, and his lackadaisical attitude had been for too long a liability.

Losing JaVale is a bit more sad. The potential is still there, and JaVale showed flashes all the time. The guy has incredbile athleticism and a 7’1″ frame. He is still as long as the day Jay Bilas first described him. I remember Bullets trade of yore, giving up young, talented big men, and the prospect of a redux frightens me.

But no matter how much potential he had, JaVale just didn’t get it. He just did not get it. Maybe it was the coddling, maybe it was a mental block. Whatever the problem, the results simply did not work. Defensive lapses. Offensive miscues. If he can only put it all together, and he still can, he could dominate. But it was not going to happen here, not on Fun Street.

In the end, JaVale had to go. Nick had to go. If sunshine is the best disinfectant, you need to get rid of two players who could never get out of their own way, two players who rarely saw the big picture. If this is John Wall’s team, and it needs to be, the knuckleheads had to go.

JaVale and Nick, it has been quite real. Best of luck in your next spot. But can I say I’ll miss you? #CANTSAYIDO

It’s a point of pride that we allow few JaVale McGee videos to slip past our blognet. Unfortunately for the Wizards, but fortunately for the Internet, there are lots of them, including two more today:

1. As seen above and detailed by the D.C. Sports Bog, JaVale was featured by ESPN’s Sports Science thing. This was the perfect marriage of auteur and subject — both are equal parts fascinating and goofy. They also think they’re the future of their fields, I bet. Give it a watch; it’s sufficiently JaVale.

2. Also, as seen in last night’s game and on blooper reels of the future, JaVale was inadvertently racked by Channing Frye. What makes this clip particular JaVale is not that he took one to the groin (not very JaVale), but the histrionics shown afterward (very JaVale). Can’t say I’ve seen a grown man act like that, at least not in public.

Thus concludes this edition of very JaVale videos. More soon, probably.

This may be the most JaVale McGee play of all time. Visit SBN to see it in GIF form, or click the video above (via BDL) to play it in full. The ad is worth it see the failed alley-oop at the end. [SB Nation D.C., Ball Don’t Lie]

I was going to link to this but decided it needs its own post. Do the Wizards really think a 2-15 team deserves four All-Stars? Do the Wizards really think any of these four have played to the level of an All-Star?

I understand marketing, and engaging the fan base. I get that. BUT, I think the majority of fans and media think Nick Young and Andray Blatche need to be cut, dismissed, or bought out from the team. Immediately. Sentiment is split on JaVale McGee, but either way the guy isn’t an All-Star.

That’s right, most fans want those two gone, but the Wiz brass wants you to vote for them as All-Stars. I know because of gumshoe reporting the image above was taken from the front page of the Wizards’ website.

John Wall is the only cornerstone this team has. He has been playing well of late. But with point guards like Deron Williams, Derrick Rose and Rajon Rondo in the East, Wall isn’t an All-Star. Yet.

If I’m voting for anybody, it’s Jan Vesely. Just so he brings his girlfriend.

There are a half-dozen quotes in this column that I’d love to excerpt here, but just go to the Post and read them in full. Amazing stuff. Pamela McGee’s intentions are good, but she’s really not making it any easier for her baby.

— The new unis are still new, still excellent.
— This was Wall-to-McGee, which may occur more often than Paul-to-Griffin, meaning Washington is the real Lob City.
— The dunk was only kinda sorta on some kid I’ve never heard of, and there was very little contact.
— JaVale stared him down for a full five seconds, while backing away.
— JaVale gave his signature military salute almost 10 seconds after kinda sorta dunking on said nameless kid in a preseason game.
— The announcer says JaVale is 7’3″ or 7’4″, which sounds about right.

For another awesome JaVale video, click over to TBJ or the Bog and watch him airball a three-footer. It’s gonna be another fun season.